John Adams to John Quincy Adams

[dateline] Hotel des Etats Unis, a la Haye May 13. 1782

[salute] My dear Son

I have the Pleasure to inform you, that Yesterday I removed into this House, and am
now employed in setting it in order. You will see by the Gazettes, that I have been
received in Character, that I have laid before the States a Plan of a Treaty, which
they have now under Consideration, and I suppose will be soon finished.

The Bearer of this, Coll. Vallentin, will deliver it. Perhaps he may be serviceable
to you. I am however, very uneasy on your Account. I want you with me. Mr. Thaxter
will probably leave me soon, and I shall be alone. I want you to pursue your studies
too at Leyden. Upon the whole, I wish you would embark in a Neutral Vessell and come
to me. If there should be a Treaty, to send, Mr. Thaxter perhaps will carry it.

Your Studies I doubt not, you pursue, because I know you to be a studious Youth: but
above all preserve a sacred Regard to your own Honour and Reputation. Your Morals
are worth all the Sciences. Your Conscience is the Minister Plenipotentiary of God
almighty in your Breast. See to it, that this Minister never negotiates in vain. Attend
to him, in Opposition to all the Courts in the World. So charges, your affectionate
Father,